I liked what Wolfy wrote about addressing the negatives as well as the positives of ferrets to potential ferret owers. I love meeting people, especially at the vets, and telling them what wonderful pets ferrets make. But I am also very quick to inform people that yes, they do stink (but the smell is addictive), they poop a lot (trainable but not as accurate a cat), and they can nip (usually playfully, and again trainable). I have to further admit that I cringe when a public person gets one, because I worry that too many people will get a ferret as a fad pet without learning about them. Also, when that news broke about the Along Came Polly ferret biting Ben Stiller, I wasn't concerned. No, I don't want ferrets portrayed as vicious attackers (clearly they're not) but they can bite, and people should only get them if they're willing to work with them. Wasn't going to, but will add my thoughts on the whole Petco/Petsmart thing. Obviously we can't tell a company to not sell ferrets. But hoping to convince a responsible pet store chain that offering space to shelter ferrets rather than putting more kits on the market is a good idea. Even if they do sell them, perhaps with all the knowledge we're giving them about the plight of pet ferrets they will at least enter the market more responsibly than other pet stores have (ie have educated employees to answer questions to prospective customers and care well for ferrets at store, and make sure all incoming ferrets are healthy and the proper age). In the end Petsmart may do what's best for them, but they've shown a commitment to doing what's best for pets and I hope that continues. Risa [Posted in FML issue 4708]